House committees to probe fatal Philly collapse

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Two state House committees are holding a hearing on building codes related to demolition work in the wake of a building collapse that killed six people in Philadelphia.

The Labor & Industry and Urban Affairs committees are holding the hearing at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Testimony is expected to focus on the safety of building codes for demolition projects.

On June 5, a downtown building that was being demolished collapsed onto a neighboring Salvation Army thrift store, killing two employees and four customers. Police allege a heavy equipment operator had been high on marijuana.

At a City Council hearing last month, officials said the city issues demolition permits, but it isn't responsible for the work done by contractors on private property.